Challenge: 50 Books discussion

As lackluster as the end of 2022 was, 2023 is off to a great start with, of course, Louise Penny. Couldn't have planned it better!

1. A World of Curiosities

Currently Reading
The Mitford Trial for a lighter read after another stunning installment in the Gamache series.

Emma wrote: "As lackluster as the end of 2022 was, 2023 is off to a great start with, of course, Louise Penny. Couldn't have planned it better!

1. A World of Curiosities [bookcover:A World of C..."

Ooh, that certainly sounds like a good start for you! I hope the rest of the year is as wonderful!

Tiffany wrote: "Emma wrote: "As lackluster as the end of 2022 was, 2023 is off to a great start with, of course, Louise Penny. Couldn't have planned it better!

1. A World of Curiosities [bookcover..."

Thank you! You, too!

2. A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons - 4 stars. Nicely paced, well written characters, and I like the subject matter and premise of a woman operating in a "man's world" of academic and science in the 1940's.

3. The Mitford Trial - 3 stars. Solid mystery, like the format of switching between the investigation and the resulting trial, and all the nuances of balancing historical events and the 'grey' area of morality, truth, and the greater good that's often missing from mysteries that lean more toward the cozy subgenre.

Currently Reading
The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare - loving it so far!

I decided this year to make a few notes on each read so I remember my thoughts outside of my reading journal. :)
And to continue the theme of Fierce Females and women in history. So much to explore! I'm also specifically seeking titles that speak to the accuracy of women's roles in history and significant events. I love how so much of history is being re-examined and rewritten to include different perspectives - opposite and other genders, races, cultures - and there is so much to re-learn in the process. It feels like a good fit for this year and plays nicely with my other goals.

4. The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare - 1 star. I started out loving it and wanted to keep loving it but it just didn't do it for me. My thoughts on it are confusing and still not fully formed, so I'll leave it at the star rating for now.

5. The True Love Bookshop - 3 stars Honestly don't know how this even ended up in my library pile but I'll attribute it to the 3 kids anxious to explore their new library. It was a nice, light read, and romance is not usually my cup of tea but it was enjoyable.

Currently Reading
Do Less: The Unexpected Strategy for Women to Get More of What They Want in Work and Life

And I decided one reading goal for this year is to complete the books I started last year but never finished. Mostly due to the lack of focus while we were moving. I found myself picking books off my shelf at random and then abandoning them for something 'shinier' a few days later. I have about 15 half or barely read books that I'm still very interested in so I'm going to try to make my way through them by July. Beginning with Do Less. :D

Emma wrote: "...And I decided one reading goal for this year is to complete the books I started last year but never finished. Mostly due to the lack of focus while we were moving. I found myself picking books off my shelf at random and then abandoning them for something 'shinier' a few days later. I have about 15 half or barely read books that I'm still very interested in so I'm going to try to make my way through them by July. Beginning with Do Less. :D"

:) Sounds like a good plan! ("Abandoned them for something 'shinier'" ... :D hehehe)

6. Do Less: The Unexpected Strategy for Women to Get More of What They Want in Work and Life - 4 stars

7. In the Shadow Garden - 3 Stars

8. Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life beyond Your Wildest Dreams - Reread

Currently browsing for my next on my To Be Completed shelf.

9. The House Witch: Your Complete Guide to Creating a Magical Space with Rituals and Spells for Hearth and Home - 5 stars Loved this book as a reminder of the sacred nature of caring for your home and the loved ones who reside in it.

Currently Reading
The Future Ancestor: A Guide and Journey to Oneness

10. The Future Ancestor: A Guide and Journey to Oneness - 4 stars

Currently Reading
Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven't Tried Yet and My Oxford Year on audio. About to begin The Mitford Affair .

11. The Mitford Affair - 5 stars. Marie Benedict never disappoints.

12. The Birdcage - 3 stars. I wanted to love it and while I did love the writing style (I've read her whole backlist), I felt let down by the ending. Felt like a lot of intense build up for a meh reveal.

Currently Reading
Still My Oxford Year on audio. If I were reading it in book format I'd probably have dropped by now but it's entertaining in the car.
And The War Librarian . I just started but so far so good.
Of course this came in at the library on the same day, but I'll try to hold off having too many going...:) The Only Woman in the Room

13. The War Librarian - 3 stars

14. The Way of the Priestess: A Reclamation of Feminine Power and Divine Purpose - 4 stars

Currently Reading
On audio - Maisie Dobbs and My Oxford Year
And Vienna Twilight

15. Vienna Twilight - 4 stars. Atmospheric and intriguing.

16. Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven't Tried Yet - 5 stars.

17. The Only Woman in the Room - 3 stars. This read a bit more like a biography than I expected. You can tell it's an earlier work of Benedict's and I think she really hit her stride with Her Hidden Genius and subsequent works.

Currently Reading:
Death and the Maiden and finishing Maisie Dobbs on audio.

18. Maisie Dobbs - 3 stars. Maybe it was the format of audio but I kept losing interest. I'll try the second in the series in book format and see if I like it more.

19. My Oxford Year - 1 star

20. Death and the Maiden

Currently Reading
The London Séance Society

21. Of Manners and Murder - 4 stars

22. One Italian Summer - 4.5 stars

23. On Spine of Death - 4 stars

24. The Bookshop on the Corner 3 stars

25. Swimming Pool Sunday 1 star

26. Homecoming 5 stars

27. The Last Heir to Blackwood Library 3 stars.

28. How to Stop Losing Your Shit with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent - 5 stars

29. Mercy Falls - 4 stars

30. The Nightingale Affair - 4.5 stars

31. May Cause Miracles: A 40-Day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change and Unlimited Happiness - reread

32. Light is the New Black: A Guide to Answering Your Soul's Callings and Working Your Light - 4 stars

Currently Reading
The Stroke of Winter

33. Murder Off the Books

34. Killers of a Certain Age - 4 stars

35. The Secret Book of Flora Lea - 4 stars; delightfully and artfully crafted

36. The Marlow Murder Club - 4 stars; witty, layered, and intriguing

37. It Takes a Witch - 4 stars; enchanting, perfect escapism without the elements of cozy mysteries that I often find irritating

Currently Reading
A Murder for the Books

38. A Witch Before Dying 4 stars. Solid cozy mystery with likable characters and a pleasing setting.

39. Death Below Stairs 3 stars.

40. The Mystery Guest 3.5 stars

41. The White Hare 4.5 stars

Currently Reading:
The Man Who Died Twice
I'm hoping to finish this weekend so will likely be ending my year at 43 books. A bit disappointing, but I'm still happy with it and many of the books I read this year.